Louis Theroux subject fined after cornering shop worker with comments about his ‘English wood’

You might remember Ed Matthews from Louis Theroux’s Manosphere documentary on Netflix, but he’s just appeared in court this week over a supermarket incident from earlier this year. 

When Louis Theroux shone a light on the Manosphere, Ed Matthews was one of the subjects alongside HSTikkyTokky, Myron Gaines, Sneako, and Justin Waller. He’s also a staple on TikTok and streaming platforms, and recently served time in prison for beating up a man he perceived as a paedophile. 

Ed Matthews was fined this week 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ed Matthews (@edmatthewss)

At Preston Magistrates’ Court this week, the court heard about an incident that occurred on the evening of March 2 at a supermarket in Lancaster. Ed Matthews was questioned about the incident last month, but he answered “no comment” to all of the questions. 

In March, alongside four other men, Ed surrounded a Polish worker who was cleaning the alcohol aisle at the time. They quizzed her on British foods, but then Ed asked if she liked “English wood”, which she understood “meant penis and said no.”

He then asked whether she enjoyed “Polish wood” and questioned if she was a lesbian when she replied no once again. At the time, the influencer was on crutches, and he graphically told the employee about how he sustained the injury “during a threesome.”

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The woman, who has remained nameless, “felt trapped as they had surrounded her”, and she was subsequently forced to share her Instagram handle to get the group to leave her alone. She then reported the incident to her manager, and police were able to find the men through that Instagram follow. 

His lawyer, Saf Rathor, argued that Ed has since turned over a new leaf after his prison stint earlier this year. He’s “turned to God” and is now hoping to “inspire the young”, the court heard. 

After pleading guilty, the magistrate fined him £2,884, ordered him to pay a £1,154 in victim surcharge, £500 in compensation, and £85 in costs.

“It wasn’t just one or two words and then you walked away – it was sustained,” she said.

He’s reportedly been left “embarrassed and ashamed” of his actions. 

Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Featured image credit: Netflix/Instagram